The explosive growth of the craft brewing industry in Arkansas is causing the brewers themselves and state regulators to re-evaluate the rules governing the sector, a re-evaluation that has the potential to lead to new state laws.

After eight years with a Democrat at the helm of the executive branch, Republican Asa Hutchinson’s agency director appointments are also an opportunity to shape the next four years of business in the state.

Arkansas’ wine producers said Act 483, which went into effect in August 2013, puts the state wineries at a competitive disadvantage to out-of-state shippers. The Alcoholic Beverage Control Administration said 114 permits have been issued to allow shipping to Arkansas consumers, but only two permits have been given to a state winery.

My position has always been that voters should have a reasonable opportunity to decide the wet-dry question. I would prefer that they be able to decide it on a county-by-county basis, but the liquor store owners, through their friends in the Legislature, made it unreasonably difficult and expensive to get county-specific referendums on the ballot. So now we’ll get a statewide vote instead.

If Arkansans vote in November to open up the entire state to alcohol sales for the first time since the mid-1930s — and that remains a fairly big if — the man in charge of implementing the new order has a plan.

A group of Independence County residents wants to legalize alcohol sales across the county. Phillip Finch, chairman of Wet/Dry Let’s Decide, said he plans to start gathering signatures next month to place the question on the ballot in November.

As for this Christmas and dining choices, what follows is a by-no-means-comprehensive list for the Little Rock-North Little Rock area, with a side trip to Russellville. Calling ahead is highly recommended.

The state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Division has proposed ending the requirement that private clubs in Arkansas’ “dry” counties maintain signature log books to record the names of their “guests” — i.e., customers.